As you age, natural collagen breaks down, resulting in wrinkles and loss of facial volume. Natural collagen is what gives skin a smooth, supple, youthful appearance. When you squint or frown, muscles contract causing the skin to furrow and fold. Over time, as your skin ages and loses some of its elasticity, these repeated contractions can cause persistent lines. Skin cell production slows down as you age.
A baby’s skin is remarkably soft and smooth. This is because they produce new skin cells on a daily basis. Slowing the production of skin cells results in an uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, as well as a rough skin texture. Exposure and genetics come into play. Sun spots, age spots, wrinkles and loss of tissue volume can be enhanced by spending time in the elements – sun, wind, cold climates or by our genetic make-up. Eyelashes become thinner, finer and shorter as we age.
As you age, you may notice looser skin forming on your face and neck. Friction from clothes, necklaces or rubbing can cause skin tags to form. Fat cells swell as metabolism slows down. Areas of fat pouches form in the abdomen, hips, thighs and waist. Hairs form in areas that may be unwanted such as the lip and chin area for women and ears for men. Androgen hormones, typically found in higher levels in men, are involved in hair growth. As women age and estrogen decreases, “unopposed Androgen” often causes an increase in hair growth in the aging women.
Common Changes Through The Years…
20-30 years old
Subtle changes begin to occur. Fine lines start to appear around the eyes and on the forehead, these are commonly known as expression lines. Even though most of the skin remains soft and smooth you may notice some acne problems that disrupt the skins integrity. Scarring may even be present from current or previous acne flare ups. Skin tags may start to form, especially in events such as pregnancy.
30-40 years old
Signs of sun damage begin to appear in the form of freckles, sun spots or brown spots. Broken blood vessels form on the face and legs. Eyelashes begin to thin and loose volume. The fine lines that begin to appear in our 30’s deepen. You may also notice lines around your eyes, called “crow’s feet”, and around our mouth, “marionette lines or commas”,. Lines form from the nose to the corners of the mouth called the “nasal labia fold”. Last but certainly not least the creases know as the “11’s or 111’s” form between your eyes. Fat pouches begin to form especially after pregnancy. Excess hair or hair in unwanted areas begin to form.
40-50 years old
Expression lines deepen on the forehead, around the mouth and eyes and from the nose to the mouth. Marionette lines can extend from the nose down to the chin. “Smoker lines” form along the line of the upper lip. Cheeks start to lose volume and sag causing “jowls” to form while lips lose volume. Increased areas of fat pouches as metabolism continues to slow. Increases in the amount of unwanted hair in certain areas while losing hair in others.
50-60 years old
Expression lines continue to deepen. Sun damage worsens and becomes more dramatic. Facial collagen continues to break down causes loss of facial volume. Neck skin sags and loses elasticity. Skin tags continue to form. Enlarged areas of fat. Unwanted hair may start to turn white or gray.